Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, in partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, has secured $59 million in federal research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 2025. This figure places the institutions at No. 3 nationally among pediatrics departments for NIH funding, according to data released by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Emory and Children’s have ranked in the top three and a decade within the top five for NIH pediatric research funding. The achievement is supported by notable projects such as leading a national trial aimed at improving survival rates in extremely preterm infants, developing a publicly available single-cell atlas for pediatric leukemia, and researching how race and ethnicity affect cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.
“In the midst of a year of change and uncertainty for medical research, Children’s and Emory were able to continue their lifesaving and life-changing work as demonstrated by this enduring accomplishment marking four years in the top three and a decade in the top five for federal research funding,” said Shari Barkin, MD, Pediatrician-in-Chief at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Chair of Emory’s Department of Pediatrics. “I can’t help but marvel at all our institutions have accomplished, and it is an honor to be part of the legacy.”
The collaboration between Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University supports pediatric research, training programs, and innovation designed to improve patient outcomes. Rankings are based solely on direct NIH grants awarded from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. In addition to grant funding, more than 1,700 publications across over 700 journals during this period contributed to advancements across 50 specialty areas.
The NIH is recognized as the world’s largest funder of medical research. It provides over 80 percent of its budget—supporting more than 300,000 researchers at upwards of 2,500 universities and other institutions globally—to drive scientific discovery.
The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research compiles annual rankings using comprehensive data on all NIH-funded contracts. Additional financial support from donors also contributes to ongoing pediatric research efforts at these institutions.
More information about current research initiatives can be found at https://www.choa.org/research.
